Innovation begins with listening closely to real problems and building solutions that customers truly need. That idea was central at the Ignite Startup Accelerator Showcase, where founders from the 2025-26 cohort shared how their ventures are gaining traction and moving from vision to reality.
Ignite is a collaboration between the Lubar College of Business and the Lubar Entrepreneurship Center that supports early stage founders through an 11-month accelerator program. Rather than focusing only on pitch decks or funding headlines, Ignite emphasizes testing ideas in the market.
“Ignite flips that script by focusing on real customers, real revenue and the belief that investment follows traction, not the other way around,” said Kaushal Chari, Dean.
At the showcase, 10 ventures delivered short presentations highlighting the problems they are solving, the progress they have made, and next steps. The projects reflect a wide range of industries, from technology and healthcare to education, safety, and real estate. The event also brought together mentors, alumni, students, and community partners who play a key role in supporting founders.
Speakers emphasized that innovation is not just about something new, but about impact. “Innovation isn’t just creating something new,” Bryce Nelson, Ignite Program Director, said. “It’s about solving a real problem in a way that customers value. For the founders, the showcase marked an important milestone. As they were reminded, “Tonight isn’t closing night. It’s the beginning of your next phase.”